WCL: Wines of South America

On February 13 2010 World Cafe Live hosted a five course meal featuring the wines of South America. Each course was paired with a wine, and each was artfully described by Joseph Brandolo from Winebow. And, the menu was prepared by chef Michael Breslin, who recently came to WCL and will soon be releasing a new menu there. If this dinner is any guide, the food just got kicked up a notch at World Cafe. Below were the offerings.

Burnt tomato, goat cheese and anchovy bruschetta paired with Nieto Senetiner Reserva Torrontes 2009 from Argentina. This dished proves that burning things - in moderation - can can taste exceptionally good.

Sea bass, grapefruit and jicama ceviche served with Cousino Macul Sauvignon Gris 2008 from Chile. Simply the best. The grapefruit gave great acidity and was not at all overpowering.

By far the highlight of the evening, here are grilled pears wrapped in iberico ham drizzled with parsley, olive oil, and garlic sauce on crusty bread paired with Terranoble Reserva Carmenere 2007 from Chile. The grilled pears were astounding, and Carmenere is my new go-to red.

Here is a boneless rib eye with chimichurri, peruvian (purple) mashed potatoes and fire roasted tomatoes, paired with Argentinean Bodegas Renacer Punto final Malbec Classico 2008. I could eat a whole bowl of just those tomatoes.

Lastly, dessert was a wild berry creme brulee with a mildly jalapeno mousse (much more nuanced than a jalapeno-infused margarita I had, or tried to have, at National Mechanics recently) served with Argentinean Tilia Bonoardo 2008.

If this is the new standard for food at World Cafe, I will be going there often. I look forward to more meals from Chef Breslin. Note he has two more special dinners upcoming: a Saint Patrick's Day Craft Beer dinner Wednesday March 17, and a Wines of Spain dinner Tuesday March 23.

Meet Chef Michael Breslin. Definitely worth the R7 ride from Mt Airy.